Emergency Room Doctor Highlights Five Kinds of Pain That Should Never Be Disregarded.
In the event of pain, it's essential to know when to seek medical attention. While fast medical attention is crucial, it's not always necessary to visit the emergency department (ED). A local urgent care centre can provide treatment for non-emergent medical issues, often at a lower cost than a visit to the ER.
However, certain types of pain should prompt an urgent visit to the ED due to their potential severity or underlying serious conditions. For instance, severe, sudden pain after trauma, such as from a fall or car accident, especially neck pain with associated symptoms, could indicate spinal cord injury or nerve compression.
Neck pain accompanied by fever and headache may suggest meningitis or other central nervous system infections requiring immediate evaluation. Pain with neurological symptoms, including numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty walking or balancing, could indicate serious neurological compromise such as spinal cord injury or stroke.
Sudden onset of severe headache that is unbearable, particularly if accompanied by blurred or loss of vision, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or seizures, may signify life-threatening conditions like stroke or intracranial hemorrhage.
Pain in special vulnerable populations, such as pregnant or breastfeeding patients, those with sickle cell disease, cancer patients requiring palliative care, and the elderly, should be managed promptly due to the complexities and risks of undertreatment.
Certain pain locations also require immediate attention. Chest pain is particularly concerning and should be checked out by a doctor, especially in older people or those with risk factors for heart disease. Flank pain in the lower abdomen or lower back could be a sign of kidney stones or a kidney infection. If flank pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, it could potentially be appendicitis.
Upper back pain that feels like a tearing sensation should be evaluated by a doctor. Lower abdominal pain that is accompanied by any problematic symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.
In cases where you're unsure about the urgency of your symptoms, it's best to err on the side of caution and seek help at the ED. However, you can also call your primary care provider's office to see if they have after-hours or last-minute appointments available, which would also be cheaper than an ER visit.
Dr. Michael Turturro, a professor of emergency medicine, advises that sudden, severe pain anywhere on the body should be taken seriously and evaluated by a medical professional. Dr. Mark Conroy, an emergency medicine physician, further advises that calf pain with leg swelling and/or calf redness should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible, especially after recent surgery or a long plane ride.
Urgent care staff or your doctor should be able to help you determine if emergency care is needed. It's important to seek medical attention for any new, concerning pain that is troubling to you, even if it's not necessarily serious.
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- Sickle cell disease and cancer patients undergoing palliative care may experience pain and should consult their doctors promptly as the risks of undertreatment are higher for these vulnerable populations.
- The sports industry emphasizes fitness-and-exercise, but it's equally important to be aware of potential sports-injuries and their symptoms, like calf pain after recent surgery or a long plane ride.
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- Pain in various body parts, such as chest pain indicating potential heart issues, should be evaluated by a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatments.
- In instances where hearing loss, symptoms of neurological-disorders, or any concerning symptoms arise, prompt medical attention is crucial for effective therapies-and-treatments and minimizing potential complications.
